Have you read this thread? It might help you.

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/32

Edited by Janet Koehler (01/24/2008 06:49 PM)
Edit reason: Wrong thread

Thanks Lynn: I actually had started to introduce a new behavior, which was for him to go sit on the landing when someone came to the door, and would praise/treat him for it. But my flaw at the time was that I needed to walk away to get to the door...and bling, he's off! Good example of handler error eh?! But, to your point, I could use a marker to reward keeping his attention on me during the entire process.

Yes, thank you, but I reread it and of course there is always something helpful! I also think I need to revisit my Basic Obedience and Pack Structure videos to see what Ed would tell me!

Thank you all for your input and ideas. I ended up doing the following and am seeing SIGNIFICANT results already:

I basically went back to the beginning and am using the crate for this - isolation approach vs. the leash approach. Since he is so calm/submissive at all other times in the house, what I decided to do is: When someone comes to the door/knocks or rings, I approach the entry area, put him in a sit/stay and then step forward to the door. I reconfirm the stay and crack open the door. Greet the person in a cheerful voice and tell them I will be back in a minute. He is usually sitting still, while a bit anxious (I can see the excitement brewing). Then I release him from his sit/stay and tell him to go to his crate. I then close him in, and return to my guest (who is waiting outside. My guest is then instructed to ignore the dog in the crate completely. He is usually just hanging out in there calmly at this point since he really gets that the crate is a place for calm behavior. I have been doing that since I started this threas a couple of weeks ago. Also since starting I have been opening the door a bit more each time - but still not more than 2-3 feet and holding the door open a bit longer each time (but still brief). Niko hears us talking, but doesn't get to see the person (which could be too much for him!) before he ends up in his crate. I mark his good/calm behavior and his return to the crate.

The last couple of days I asked that my guest walk up nonchallantly to the crate (after they had been in the house for 10-15 minutes or so). At any sign of exuberance in the crate, they turn and walk away. It has worked wonders. After having just a couple of friends do this, he figured out he needs to be calm/submissive when a "friendly stranger" approaches. So I will keep working on this. I hope to see continued progress to the point that I can let him out of the crate after 15 minutes or so, and he will greet in a polite and calm way. He is only 14 months old, so it is a lot to ask.

That's in the house. And, when we are out on the leash, I am restricting all contact from strangers ala Ed.

Hopefully my experiences will benefit others.